Julian Ongpin said he found artist Bree Jonson hanging in the bathroom, so he untied her and put her on the bed, according to Philippine National Police chief Guillermo Eleazar.
“That’s part of the reenactment, sinabi nakita niya eh nakabigti tapos tinanggal niya at nilagay doon sa bed,” Eleazar said in a press briefing.
(He said that he saw her hanging, then untied her and placed her on the bed.)
“That is his recollection and his statement,” Eleazar added.
The 30-year-old painter was found unconscious at a La Union beach resort. She was later declared dead on arrival at the hospital. Her companion, Julian Ongpin, was arrested for alleged violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act.
Authorities went to the resort due to a report of alleged suicide at the resort.
The cause of death of artist Bree Jonson was asphyxia, the Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) chief said Wednesday, citing initial autopsy results.
Asphyxia is a condition arising when the body is deprived of oxygen, causing unconsciousness or death.
PRO1 director Police Brigadier General Emmanuel Peralta added Jonson also tested positive for cocaine use.
Julian Ongpin says Bree Jonson hanged herself – Eleazar
Meanwhile, investigators found wounds on the arms and back of Julian Ongpin.
However, Ongpin, the son of billionaire Robert Ongpin, explained that he got his wounds when he forcibly opened the restroom door where Jonson was allegedly trapped.
The 29-year-old Ongpin told police that the nails from the broken door caused deep wounds on his arms and back.
Peralta confirmed that Jonson has markings on her neck. A cat chain was also found in their room.
Sally Jonson, the mother of Bree, said she does believe that her daughter died of suicide or cocaine overdose due to the marks she saw on her neck.
“I asked my sister to send a picture of my daughter. Kasi gusto kong makita. From that picture alone, makikita mo ‘yung, may mark si Breana dito sa leeg na mahaba, dalawa, tapos meron parang pulang pressure dito sa gitna. So, alam mo ‘yun, parang maiisip mo na something happened there,” Sally noted.
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